Autumn is the busiest time of the year for books, with big releases set to capture the holiday shopping season and several festivals that highlight books and reading. The many big books being released this fall include MaddAddam by Margaret Atwood, which is already out, The Orenda by Joseph Boyden, and non-fiction titles by Michael Ignatieff and former prime minister Joe Clark.

The Vancouver Writers Fest brings 100 writers from around the world to Granville Island to read from their books and participate in active discussions, along with other entertainment designed to delight readers and writers alike. Highlights from this year’s festival include Margaret Atwood and Joseph Boyden, along with B.C. authors Douglas Coupland, Meg Tilly, Theodora Armstrong, Amber Dawn, D.W. Wilson, Brad Cran, Shaena Lambert, Mary Novick and Roberta Rich.

Scott Turow, who wrote the huge bestseller Presumed Innocent in 1987, will appear to talk about his latest book, Identical.

There’s also a focus on non-fiction writers, including literary critic John Freeman, American investigative journalist Eric Schlosser, author Alan Weisman (The World Without Us), and George Packer, staff writer for The New Yorker and author of Thea Unwinding. Canadian journalist Amanda Lindout, who spent a terrifying 460 days in the hands of Somali kidnappers, will appear at the festival with a memoir of her experience. She will be interviewed by Vancouver Sun reporter Denise Ryan. Author Ross King will appear in conversation with CBC ombudsman and former Vancouver Sun managing editor Kirk LaPointe, talking about his latest book Leonardo and the Last Supper, which focuses on the period of Leonardo da Vinci’s life when he became successful.

Formerly known as Word on the Street — shortened now to Word — this festival takes place the last weekend of September in library square (350 W. Georgia St.). This year, the main event is Sunday, Sept. 29 between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m., but there will be events taking place beginning Sept. 25, involving 25 workshops, 145 authors and 75 readings for all ages. Visit wordvancouver.ca for complete details and to view the program.

This year’s Whistler Readers and Writers Festival features CBC radio host Jian Ghomeshi in two events. The first is with Giller Prize winner Will Ferguson and the second is Sunday brunch with authors including Lisa Moore, Richard Wagamese and others. The opening night jazz and books gala will be hosted by writer Stephen Vogler and will include authors Patrick deWitt, Mary Swan and others. Visit theviciouscircle.ca for complete details and to view the program.

The Cherie Smith JCC Jewish Book Festival brings together prominent and emerging Jewish writers and non-Jewish writers with Jewish-interest subject matter in literature, the arts, philosophy, theology, history and current events. This year the authors include Sheila Heti, Dr. Abraham Morgentaler, Anne Michaels, Shani Boianjiu and many others. Visit jccgv.com/content/jewish-book-fest for complete details and to view the program.

This event builds on the Canzine Festival of Zines and Underground Culture, which was first held in Toronto in 1995. The Vancouver edition will focus on zines and independent publishing and organizers promise an opportunity for creators and admirers of indie culture to meet and share their stories and products. Canzine is organized by Broken Pencil: The Magazine of Zine Culture and the Independent Arts. For more information about Canzine, email canzine@brokenpencil.com.

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Fall book preview 2013: Festivals and big releases highlight the upcoming book season